Ideas Wanted For Disused Hammersmith Rail Viaduct
Competition launched for best ideas for transforming town centre track
It runs on a brick viaduct high above the bustle of Hammersmith’s streets, but it has become overgrown and fallen into disrepair.
Now though, plans are afoot to come up with a design for ways to breathe new life into the disused railway, which could rival the renowned New York High Line, a former railway track in the Big Apple which is now a popular leisure destination.
The Hammersmith BID and architect group, West London Link, has launched an ideas competition for people to give their imagination free licence to come up with ideas of transforming the 300m stretch of disused line.
There are two prizes of £5,000 up for grabs to encourage a variety of ideas that could be considered, from the fanciful to the deliverable.
Livia Caruso from Hammersmith BID said the contest was designed to come up with ideas, but as yet there is no budget to transform the disused stretch of railway.
Would-be competition entrants will have the chance to go on a site visit next month where they will get a bird’s eye view of the line to help inspire them.
She said it’s hoped the contest will come up with ideas for the redundant stretch of railway between Ravenscourt Park and Hammersmith, "to make it a destination for residents, employees and visitors, drawing on inspiration from the New York High Line".
She said the brief had remained vague so people’s imagination could run riot but they might look at ideas to connect the line to the river and make it a must-visit destination.
If the ideas eventually become reality they could help give Hammersmith town centre "something special and unique, over and above what other town centres can offer", which is crucial in these times of changing high street usage.
"It is vital that we have a distinct offer and experience to lift us above other areas," she said.
Judges are looking for original ideas "without limits" and "interesting" but they also must be practical schemes.
They hope any ideas will complement the multi-million pound redevelopment of Hammersmith town hall and the surrounding area.
The Hammersmith Highline Competition is open to all members of the public. A background in design or built environment professions is not essential. There is a separate contest for Hammersmith and Fulham primary school pupils.
All designs will be put on display in Kings Mall shopping centre in June.
The competition opens on Monday 15 April 15 and will close on Friday 31 May.
Contact L.Caruso@hammersmithbid.co.uk for competition pack details.
Julia Gregory - Local Democracy Reporter
March 29, 2019